Practice Management: Unwanted Advances

Anti-harassment policies help protect employees-and your practice.By Phillip M. Perry Sexually charged comments and behaviors can destroy workplace morale and spark costly lawsuits. As victims of sexual harassment become more willing to speak out, organizations of all sizes are taking steps to address the problem. Practice owners can protect their businesses and employees by instituting policies and procedures that promote a respectful work environment.
The Costs of Harassment
People often think of sexual harassment in terms of quid pro quo: a supervisor offers someone a job or a raise in return for a sexual act. But in today's workplaces most sexual harassment claims stem from hostile work environments. For example, yesterday your employee Jake complimented Sarah on her “sexy” new hairdo. Today he patted Marianne on the shoulder and thanked her for wearing a “revealing” new outfit. And he's been pressing Deborah, the regional sales rep, for a date to “get better acquainted.”
Jake may be a top-performing...